Chapter 26

Walking inside together, Amanda carried Charlie, Lee's hand guiding her back, Harry and Christina holding hands. They stopped just down the hall from Lauren's room when Harry reached out to touch Lee.

"What's wrong?" Lee asked Harry. He could see the nervousness on his face.

"I'm not sure… I don't know… Lee, how am I going to do this?" Harry asked tentatively. "She doesn't know who I really am."

Amanda reached out and squeezed Harry's hand. "She knows you, that's all that matters Harry. She knows you have cared about her all these years. Nothing will change that."

"She also doesn't know what her mother did for a living either but that's what got Lauren into this mess," Lee stated. "It's not going to be an easy conversation but it has to be done." Those words held so much meaning to both Lee and Amanda at that moment. Amanda looked at Lee, nodding.

"Why don't Lee and I go in first with Charlie. Give us a few minutes, then you two can come in. We can explain you came to help. She needs to know Charlie has been safe and that she is safe," Amanda suggested.

"Yeah, Amanda's right. Give us a few minutes," Lee agreed.

Christina put her hand on Harry's shoulder in comfort. His own inner turmoil could be seen on his face. "Let them go. You need a minute anyway."

Amanda reached out for Lee's hand as they walked into Lauren's room. Lauren was laying in the bed closest to the windows, the curtain drawn for privacy. Amanda spoke up softly to not scare her, "Lauren? It's Amanda Stetson. There's someone here who needs to see you."

She moved the curtain as Lauren turned her head toward them, "Charlie… OH… my baby… You're safe!"

Amanda brought Charlie over to her, carefully placing the baby in his mother's arms. Lee followed, standing behind her, placing his hands on Amanda's arms, "You've got a great little boy there."

Lauren looked up at them, tears in her eyes threatening to spill over, "I don't know how to thank you for keeping him safe. All I could think about was him."

"You're safe too. You both are," Amanda replied as she crossed her arms to hold Lee's hands. "How are you feeling?"

Lauren kissed Charlie's head gently, "Ok, I guess. My head still feels fuzzy and my stomach is off but the doctor said I'll be fine. It's just going to take a few more hours for this stuff to wear off. Why me? Why did they want me?"

Lee decided it would be best if he explained so he gently squeezed Amanda's hands and began to speak. "Lauren, really this had nothing to do with you. The men that grabbed you… one of them, his mother was Alina Kursk and he wanted information about her death. He thought your mother was more… involved… than she was. She wasn't responsible for Alina's death, just for getting information from her. Do you know anything about what she did or where she worked? Who she worked for?"

Lauren shook her head no, "She never said a word. She would go out once or twice a week, dressed up and when she came home she was either in a good mood or angry. When she met my dad… my stepdad… Steve… she only went once or twice a month."

"Lauren, I'm not sure how to tell you, but your mom worked for a federal agency. She helped… collect… information," Amanda tried to explain.

"That's not possible… my Mom? A federal agent? No, I don't believe you," Lauren said firmly.

Amanda sat on the edge of Lauren's bed, gently touching Charlie's head, "Would you believe I'm a federal agent? I have two teenage boys at home, I'm part of the PTA at their school, run the bake sale for Little League too."

Lauren looked at her, narrowing her eyes. "You? How did…?" she started to ask.

"How did I get involved? That man right there," Amanda pointed at Lee. "He needed my help almost 5 years ago and I couldn't say no. The rest is history. My point is, Lauren, I'm one of the least assuming people to be an agent. Your mom was too. She started working for Harry Thornton as a secretary. Then from what we can figure out got recruited by another agent, Victor Dunforth…"

"Dunforth? I've heard that name before… My mother… my mother used to talk to him on the phone once in awhile…. I can't remember right now when... " Lauren's eyes widened as the pieces were beginning to fit together. "Wait, Uncle Harry? He's a federal agent too?"

Harry and Christina were outside the door listening to the exchange. As Amanda began to answer, "Harry is…"

Harry stepped into the room, interrupting her. "Yes, Lauren. I was a federal agent. I was the one who asked your mother to work for me, a long long time ago. Your mother didn't work for me long. Just a few years. I didn't know Dunforth kept her as a contact and a collector."

"Uncle Harry? Why are you here? How are you here? I don't understand," Lauren looked from one face to another, looking for answers.

Amanda looked down at Charlie again, gently rubbing his arm. She turned and looked at Lee. "Lauren, we called Harry to help us with Charlie. So we could look for you. We needed someone we could trust, someone that knew you, someone…" Lee tried to explain.

Harry moved over to the side of the bed beside Lauren and Charlie. He reached out to hold Charlie's hand for a moment then said, "I came to help keep my grandson protected."

Lauren gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth, "Then if Charlie is your grandson, that makes you my…"

Harry put his hand on Lauren's shoulder, "Your father. Yes. Your mom left the Agency when she found out she was pregnant with you. Moved here to keep you safe. I never wanted that but she was afraid you would never be safe if anyone knew our relationship."

"But… but why would she lie to me. Why didn't she ever tell me?" Lauren was crying now, hugging Charlie close to her.

Harry rubbed her shoulder, "I don't know. To protect you. But I was able to see you grow up, sort of. She sent me pictures, wrote letters. I got to see you, spend time with you. When you got older I was afraid you would start asking questions so I backed off. I regret that now. But I always loved you. And I've always regretted the day I didn't fight for you. I should have begged your mother to stay. Instead, I thought I was doing what was best for you both by letting her go."

Christina had been quiet during this exchange, just watching them. "Lauren, you would do anything to keep Charlie safe, wouldn't you? Even if it meant taking him away from family?" she asked gently.

Lauren looked down at her son, staring back up at her. "Charlie is all I have left for family. I would do anything for him."

Lee looked at her, "He's not the only family you have now."

Lauren looked up at everyone, "I don't know what to say."

"You don't need to say anything. What you do need to do is get some rest tonight so you can go home tomorrow. I'm pretty sure Charlie misses his mama. He's in good hands for one more night but after that, we've got to get back to DC so I can be with my own boys," Amanda said.

Lauren hugged Charlie close but looked at Amanda and Lee, "I don't know how to thank you for what you've done. Knowing Charlie was in good hands… I don't have words for that."

Lee smiled, "He's a great baby. He's been so easy, even I could handle him."

Amanda laughed, "Well, except for when his diaper is a little stinky."

Everyone in the room laughed at her comment. Lee made a face and replied, "I said it, I'm not qualified for those… yet."

Amanda turned to look at him, an eyebrow raised as if questioning him.

Dr. Olufsen entered the room, at the sound of the laughter. "Ms. Proctor, it's great to see you smiling. Such a change from when they brought you in a few hours ago. How are you feeling?"

Lauren looked at the doctor, "Better. Still a little groggy but better."

"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you need to rest, so I'm going to ask everyone to respect that. We have a few tests we'd like to run just to rule out any reactions," Dr. Olufsen explained.

"What time will you release her tomorrow, Doc?" Lee asked, knowing she probably wanted to be home as soon as possible but he also knew she needed to be interviewed but the local agents.

"Provided her tests come back fine, I don't see any reason she can't go home around 11:00," Dr. Olufsen replied.

Lee explained, "Lauren, a couple of agents will need to come by to talk to you about what happened. Would you rather they do it here or at their office? The sooner they get the report done, the sooner it can be over."

Lauren shrugged her shoulders, "Here I guess. First thing in the morning? Then I can go home… WE can go home." She looked down at Charlie again.

Amanda walked over beside the bed to take Charlie from Lauren but not before she gave him another hug and kiss on his head. "We'll be here first thing in the morning. Get some rest."

Lauren thanked her again, slowly releasing Charlie's hand, tears in her eyes. Harry noticed, so he put his hand over hers, "He's in the best hands he could be in next to yours. Believe me."

Lauren sighed, "Harry, I… don't know what to say or feel right now… but I do know my mother loved you. Even though she married Steve, she still loved you. I have a lot to think about as far as you and I go but thank you for taking care of Charlie too. Someday he'll understand what I've always known about you. You're a good man."

Harry could barely contain his own emotions so instead of trying to use the words, he pulled Lauren close in a hug. Reluctantly, she hugged him back, releasing him slowly.

Lee reached out to touch Lauren's arm once Harry had stood. "I'll have the agents come by around 9:30 so we can be here too. Get some rest."

Amanda and Lee with Charlie left the room as Harry and Christina hung back for a few more minutes. Lee stopped at a row of payphones in the lobby to call Billy. He asked him to relay the message to Miller and Rockwood to debrief Lauren at 9:30 the next morning. As he hung up the phone, Harry and Christina joined them.

"Well, I guess there's nothing more we need to do tonight except get Charlie back, fed and into bed for the night," Lee decided.

Amanda agreed, "It's getting late. We should all probably get some rest."

Harry looked at them, "I think Christina and I are going to walk the beach for a bit tonight before settling in. I have a lot to think about myself, not just Lauren."

"Well, we should meet for breakfast then. There is a restaurant in the lobby. How about 8:00?" Amanda suggested.

Christina smiled, "That sounds lovely. Breakfast it is. Have a good night. Do you think Charlie will be ok for the night?"

Amanda smiled at the older woman, "He was fine last night although I don't think Lee will attempt to change his diaper again in the middle of the night." She laughed at the memory.

Lee narrowed his eyes at her, jokingly, "You didn't tell me what could happen. If I knew, I wouldn't have gotten wet, now would I?"

Harry let out a deep laugh, slapping Lee on the arm as he did. "I'll say it again, I never thought I'd see the day, Scarecrow."

Lee reached out and took Charlie from Amanda's arms. "Come on, Charlie. Let's get out of here before they conspire against us." He began walking toward the exit.

"Sweetheart," Amanda called after them. Lee continued to walk, smiling, although Amanda couldn't see it. She ran after them, catching them just as they got in the car. "Hey, what was that all about?"

Lee was still smiling. He leaned into the car, carefully buckling Charlie into his carseat. Standing, he looked at Amanda across the hood of the car and said, "Nothing. I was just thinking I wanted to get my beautiful wife back to the hotel, alone. Well, sort of alone."

"Ohhhh," Amanda shook her head as she climbed into the passenger seat.